A grandmother allegedly acting as the getaway driver in a Houston convenience store burglary ran over and killed one of her three accomplices with a U-Haul truck in the ensuing police chase, authorities said.
Diwanna Corstera Thomas, 54, was arrested and charged Tuesday after the break-in at a Sunny’s Food Mart in north Houston earlier in the day, according to news station KTRK, the ABC affiliate in Houston.
Police said Thomas waited outside in the rental truck as the other suspects used bolt cutters to enter and burglarize the store, which was apparently closed.
Surveillance video inside the business shows the suspects grabbing beer, T-shirts, tobacco pipes, and trying but failing to crack open an ATM before fleeing, police said.
By chance, an off-duty police officer was in the area and witnessed the break-in.
He called for backup and began the pursuit, reports said.
“The chase was 25 miles and lasted 26 minutes,” a prosecutor said in court during Thomas’ first court appearance Tuesday, according to KTRK.
During the chase, one of the suspects tried to escape by leaping from the U-Haul, but he was immediately arrested.
Another suspect also tried jumping from the vehicle but wound up clinging to the passenger side mirror, reports said.
Unable to hang on, he fell under the rear tires and was killed, according to prosecutors.
Police said Thomas refused to pull over after the man was run over, and officers had to use spike strips to bring the truck to a stop. She and the last suspect were taken into custody.
Thomas, who has seven grandchildren, has a record that includes convictions for robbery, auto theft and drug crimes.
She has now been charged with felony murder, aggravated assault against a police officer and driving while intoxicated. She is being held in lieu of $75,000, according to reports.
Her next court appearance is expected Thursday.
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